The 2023 Ford Super Duty was recently revealed, bringing a host of new tech to the heavy duty pickup line, such as embedded 5G capability, a single binnacle design and a new 6.8L V8 gasoline engine. Interestingly, the development team elected to stick with the tried and true column shifter instead of a center console shifter – and for one very important reason.
“Based on feedback from our customers, they really wanted to retain that column shifter,” Ford Super Duty engineering manager, Aaron Bresky, explained to Ford Authority executive editor Alex Luft at the reveal event in Kentucky. This is particularly notable because center console shifters have become increasingly popular in vehicles such as the Ford F-150.
The F-150 now incorporates the Interior Work Surface option, which tucks the console shifter away to create a flat working area inside the truck on pickups that don’t feature a column-mounted unit. However, the column shifter is standard on the base XL model, all the way up to the Lariat trim, excluding the 502A High Package, indicating that the shifter’s positioning is still relatively popular among pickup buyers.
While the column shifter remains, the 2023 Ford Super Duty features an all-new cab, representing a significant change from the design of the cab in the pickup’s prior model year. It also includes an enhanced, integrated tailgate step to allow for ease of access into the pickup’s bed, and adopts the new Fully Networked Vehicle (FNV) electrical architecture. Additionally, the pickup’s frame was strengthened in key areas in order to make it capable of offering “the most towing, payload, torque, and horsepower of any heavy-duty full-size truck,” according to the automaker.
The 2023 Ford Super Duty will continue to be produced at the Kentucky Truck plant and Ohio Assembly plant and is expected to launch in early 2023, with some trims and features becoming available as soon as next spring.
We’ll have more on the 2023 Super Duty soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford Super Duty news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Had thought the reason was going to be 3-across seating option in front.
Fun fact: the CDW-27 1993 Contour was developed with a column shift option to allow for 3-across seating. I’m he feature was yanked from the PDL at literally the last minute, so late in fact that there was already equipment installed in the plant to process assemblies with this feature.
Column shift makes sense. Frees up alot of room on console. Cars continue to have floor shifter as if they’re connect to something. Rarely, if ever.
I perfer a column selector….infact wish they have a bench seat option as well…in 150 and 250 350…the extra room is nice carrying other things…one other note….just looking at all the complicated buttons..with fonts….. like looking at a jigszaw puzzle….need letters and spaced buttons….make is simpler…
I wish my lightning had a column shift or just a fwd and reverse button. The shifter is big and bulky and in the way on an electric vehicle. I would love just a flat surface to hold my clipboard and paperwork while driving without having to put it in the back seat.